New Brunswick, NJ
Board members present: Simona Wright, The College of New Jersey, President; Barbara Mabee, Oakland University, Past President; Bill Waddell, St. John Fisher College, First Vice President; Natalie Edwards, Wagner College, Second Vice President; Cecilia Feilla, Marymount Manhattan College, American/British Literature Director; Moussa Sow, The College of New Jersey, French Language and Literatures Director; Cristina Santos, Brock University, Spanish Languages and Literatures Director; Johanna Rossi Wagner, The Pennsylvania State University, Cultural Studies and Film Director; Daniela Antonucci, Princeton University, Italian Language and Literature Director; Sophie Lavin, SUNY Stonybrook, Women's Caucus Director; Esther Cuesta, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Graduate Caucus Representative; Laurence Roth, Susquehanna University, Modern Language Studies editor
Not present: Elaine Savory, New School University, Comparative Languages and Literatures Director; Birgit Tautz, Bowdoin College, German Language and Literature Director; Andrew Schopp, SUNY Nassau Community College, American/British Literature Director; Lisa Perdigao, Florida Institute of Technology, Member-At-Large: Caucus Development
Non-Board members present: Elizabeth Abele, Executive Director, SUNY Nassau Community College; Grace Wetzel, University of South Carolina, Executive Assistant
President Simona Wright calls the meeting to order 12:30 pm.
Move to accept February 26, 2009 minutes made by Barbara Mabee; seconded by Natalie Edwards; minutes approved.
Local Representatives’ Report, Arianna Fognani and Marino Forlino
Arianna Fognani discusses three flyers advertising local events and amenities for the NeMLA 2011 Convention in Rochester: 1) free NeMLA-sponsored events (i.e. Botanical Garden); 2) cost events (i.e. Broadway show); 3) list of restaurants nearby hotels. These flyers will be included in convention participants’ folders.
Cecilia Feilla, E.D., and Simona Wright discuss adding other possible events. Simona Wright requests that board members send proposed event information to Arianna Fognani and Marino Forlino.
E.D. notes that some events will occur during the convention this year. Small in size, these events will not detract from the convention. Adrianna Fognani and Marino Forlino agree. E.D. then announces that the board can promote local events earlier than past years thanks to Michael Cadwallader’s member lists.
Sophie Lavin requests that local events survey include women’s caucus events for headcount purposes. E.D. replies that surveys elicit only comparative interest in events, not reliable headcount estimates. Simona Wright agrees. Johanna Rossi Wagner suggests that Sophie Lavin send a survey directly to women’s caucus members.
Simona and Elizabeth discuss advance block purchasing of Broadway tickets, to be distributed through Acteva on a first come, first served basis. Barbara, Arianna, and Simona discuss logistics of Cape May trip.
Executive Assistants’ Report
Grace Wetzel, the Executive Assistant, reports on the Graduate Assistant program and its growth. She hands out list of 2011 graduate assistants so that Board and local representatives have the contact information.
E.D. will provide graduate assistants to language directors who expand their presence beyond the convention, as Italian Language and Literatures has done. Simona Wright emphasizes the rewards of doing so, noting the success of Italian Studies.
Executive Director’s Report, Elizabeth Abele
Third Term / Associate Director
E.D. is considering third term, but requires more support. Nassau Community College cannot provide this support due to financial crisis. Other options include: 1) Finding a new academic home for NeMLA with a different executive director; 2) Hiring an Associate Director with institutional support from his/her university. The A.D. would assist E.D. and serve as chair contact.
E.D. supports option two, which trains the A.D. in organizational operations and offers his/her academic institution graduate student and upperclassman involvement. Simona Wright agrees, stating that an A.D. would ease the E.D.’s load. E.D. proposes a tentative timeline: advertise A.D. position by early December; deadline March 1; interviews at convention. Barbara Mabee asks how many candidates will be interviewed; Simona Wright suggests three. Barbara Mabee inquires if NeMLA will pay for interviewees’ lodging costs; Natalie notes MLA does not do so; E.D. replies only if necessary. Cristina Santos is wary of interviewees not participating in convention, but Barbara Mabee suggests we may recruit some excellent newcomers.
Simona Wright asks the E.D. to leave the meeting for the Board to discuss the proposed A.D. position and E.D. reappointment. Simona advocates an A.D. because NeMLA’s strong and increasing membership has increased the responsibility to run operations correctly; A.D. also offers training ground for future directors. Johanna Rossi Wager wonders if we will secure enough applicants; Natalie Edwards suggests recruitment in that case. Bill Waddell agrees. Cristina asks if NeMLA will consider Canadian applicants; Bill and Simona reply absolutely. The board discusses E.D. reappointment to third term. Esther Cuesta asks board to consider place of change/diversity. Bill Waddell replies that A.D. position will prepare a new leader for NeMLA. Esther Cuesta and Cristina Santos inquire into term limits. Sophie Lavin claims restructuring requires careful thought. Simona states that NeMLA, having progressed from a medium- to large-size organization, needs stability to continue to succeed; let’s restructure first, then consider limits. Motion to approve A.D. position made by Bill Waddell; seconded by Johanna Rossi Wagner; motion approved. Motion to approve Elizabeth Abele as Executive Director for an additional three-year term to 2015 made by Daniella Antonucci; seconded by Laurence Roth; motion approved. The E.D. is asked to join the meeting once again and accepts the reappointment.
Member-at-Large
Simona discusses a member-at-large to represent diversity. Elizabeth notes that member-at-large covers many duties, including acting as a liaison for diversity and CAITY caucus.
Motion to add member-at-large for diversity made by Johanna Rossi Wagner; seconded by Natalie Edwards; motion approved.
Finances
E.D. explains that Boston ran on purposeful slight deficit. Canadian shipping costs raised expenses for Montreal. Still, budget in good shape. E.D. shares that NeMLA will be audited if it reaches $200,000 income.
2010 Convention
E.D. recalls large conference size; highest attendance ever at Keynote, Keynote Reception, and Sunday Brunch.
E.D. praises Marriott staff and venues, with exception of inconvenience posed to handicap participants unable to use escalators.
E.D. probes budget priorities, currently distributed into three main areas: 1) food; 2) administration; 3) fellowships and grants. Simona requests increased food money for caucus receptions. Johanna Rossi Wagner, Daniella Antonucci, and Sophie Lavin agree. E.D. will eliminate afternoon cookies to enhance caucus food budget.
2011 Convention
Proposals
E.D. announces that session proposals remained constant this year, possibly due to decreased promotion and uncertainty surrounding keynote; marketing/publication position added in response to stagnant numbers.
Panel Chairs
E.D. presents Andrew Schopp’s concern about multiple abstract submissions, which pose difficulties for chairs. Daniella Antonucci agrees, but sees no way to modify. E.D. states that chairs must send acceptances as soon as possible, and suggests asking chairs to work more directly together. E.D. also asks area directors to contact chairs whose topics overlap.
Moussa Sow wonders if chairs become frustrated when forced to reject large numbers, but recognizes that this indicates strong panel quality. E.D. asks if chairs should refer those rejected to the extended panel list. The board is in general consensus, yes.
E.D. maintains NeMLA does not wave registration fee for, or pay writers of, respondent essays.
E.D. asks board to consider prohibiting tri-presenters. Bill Waddell hesitates to deemphasize collaborative research. Lawrence Roth adds that many institutions won’t provide funding unless chairing/presenting. E.D. suggests simply warning chairs about tri-presenters.
Workshops
E.D. announces trial program of three workshops. Workshop Assistant will research format at other conventions, and next year workshops will open to all. E.D. encourages area directors to advertise among their members. E.D. pledges minimal charge for workshop registrants. Cristina Santos asks if NeMLA has defined “workshop.” E.D. replies no; this is our goal during trial run. E.D. invites workshop ideas from the board, but emphasizes the main goal of developing workshops for Rochester.
Moussa Sow asks if board can organize workshops using an internet feature. E.D. urges area/language directors to use survey monkey if they have specific questions for members.
Hyatt/Heldrich
E.D. praises lovely venues and good menus, but admits service level will not match that of Montreal and Boston. E.D. encourages board to use both hotels for special events.
E.D. notes maximum number of concurrent breakouts is 26; fewer sessions on Thursday, Sunday, and late Friday. E.D. asks if we should run more Thursday sessions than Sunday, or vice versa? Daniella Antonucci supports Thursday, as those presenters will more likely remain until Saturday. E.D. agrees to decrease Sunday sessions. E.D. discusses special scheduling. Johanna Rossi Wagner stresses that special scheduling requests are not guaranteed.
MLA will visit this year and present late Friday before keynote.
Future Conventions
E.D. encourages promotion of Rochester Convention; Promotion Assistant Joy Bracewell will contact board regarding call for session proposals.
Interested 2014 host cities include Upstate New York (Saratoga or Niagara Falls), Philadelphia, and Baltimore. E.D. notes hotel costliness of Philadelphia and Baltimore. Other possibilities include Providence and Hartford. Cristina Santos proposes Niagara Falls, Canadian side.
President’s Report, Simona Wright
Simona Wright announces that NeMLA will run concurrently with a Rutger’s conference and share the keynote speaker and reception. The Jones Museum exhibit will also run concurrently with the NeMLA convention and comprise a local event.
Simona Wright presents three conference workshops sponsored by the executive board: 1) CAITY; 2) Italian Language and Literatures; 3) Signs. Simona Wright suggests a $5 workshop fee, and requests that workshops not overlap with seminars. E.D. requests board thoughts on overlap. Simona Wright, Bill Waddell, and Johanna Rossi Wagner discuss, and decide that workshops should occur around 11:00am.
Simona Wright announces a Thursday Evening Milton Lecture, in which MLA will participate. E.D. notes that extra funds are available for potential speakers that lecture across areas; welcomes suggestions from area directors and proposes a Middle Eastern topic speaker. Simona agrees. Esther Cuesta proposes a Latino topic speaker and suggests Martin Espada. Cristina Santos agrees, and offers other possible Latino topic speakers. They agree to continue the discussion via email.
Simona Wright reports on NeMLA Italian Studies; issue on Primo Levi delivered in September; next issues are “The Italian City” and “Cinema.” Simona Wright thanks Anna Strowe for her diligent assistance.
V. First Vice-President’s Report, Bill Waddell
Fellowships
E.D. questions Antiquarian fellowship, which does not typically go to NeMLA members and rarely brings winners back to present. Sophie Lavin likes idea of linking NeMLA fellowships with libraries. E.D. asks board if they are happy with summer fellowship and two co-sponsored library fellowships. Bill Waddell advocates a wide distribution of NeMLA funds; one person should not win two fellowships.
Bill Waddell praises great range demonstrated by summer fellowships, for which 43 members applied.
Election Results
The five vacant positions on the Board were filled as follows:
Second Vice-President: Ellen Dolgin
British and Anglophone Director: Suha Kudsieh
German Language and Literatures Director: Astrid Weigert
Italian Language and Literatures: Giovanni Spani
Cultural Studies and Film Director: Margarita Vargas
230 members voted in elections. E.D. notices that members take voting seriously.
Rochester Convention
Bill Waddell reports that 2012 Rochester plans are going smoothly.
Bill Waddell addresses hotel labor issue and offers background on three Boston Hyatt hotels who outsourced all housekeeping jobs. Bill Waddell will create standards with the assistance of a labor economist.
Second Vice-President’s Report, Natalie Edwards
Natalie Edwards announces $139 Hyatt hotel rate for 2013 Boston Convention.
Natalie Edwards presents possible host schools: Tufts (top choice), Boston University, and Harvard. E.D. notes that if Tufts confirms soon, the announcement will be made in the January newsletter.
Natalie Edwards notes February 1 Summer Fellowship deadline; encourages board to advertise fellowships especially to graduate students and junior faculty. Esther Cuesta, Cecilia Feilla, and Cristina Santos volunteer to serve on the summer fellowship committee.
Natalie Edwards announces open 2012 Board Positions: American/British Director, Comparative Languages and Literatures Director, Second Vice-President, and Member-At-Large. Bill Waddell and Johanna Rossi Wagner volunteer to serve on the nominating committee.
Natalie Edwards discusses “Program in Peril” initiative that offers support to colleagues facing closings. Cristina Santos shares that she requested NeMLA petition to save Northrup Frye Center for Comparative Literature and Other Languages. This petition helped save the Center. Cristina Santos urges all board members to take responsibility for the future of the humanities. Motion to create a NeMLA “program in peril” program made by Natalie Edwards; seconded by Cristina Santos; motion approved.
Past President’s Report, Barbara Mabee
2010 Montreal Convention boasts largest number of participants and sessions. Barbara Mabee praises local committee (especially Kelly McPhail) and thanks Elizabeth for her tireless work.
Board Sponsored Session on Scandinavian literature received only one submission.
Book Award received fifteen submissions across broad spectrum of areas. Natalie Edwards, Daniella Antonucci, Bill Waddell, and Moussa Sow volunteer to serve on the book award committee.
Modern Language Studies Editor’s Report, Lawrence Roth
Lawrence Roth encourages causes to submit prize winners to MLS, as the 2010 Women and Gender Studies Caucus Prize winner’s essay was published.
MLS has reaches approximately 2000 subscriptions. Lawrence Roth discusses MLS mailing costs. Simona Wright warns that sending issues through a college entails higher overseas rates; going directly to the post office saves over half. E.D. notes that NeMLA currently subsidizes international mailing. Lawrence Roth affirms the important physical presence of overseas hard copy mailings.
Lawrence Roth requests information for MLS Newsletter. Elizabeth suggests Programs in Peril.
Lawrence Roth announces 41.1. issue special cluster in 9/11 literature.
American/British Literature Director’s Report, Cecilia Feilla
56 American Area submissions: marks significant downturn, though range of submissions much broader. Members have responded to call for literature written in English outside the U.S.
Four Board Sponsored American/British panels will run at 2011 Convention.
55 British Area submissions: marks increase (on par with American Area for first time) and greater breath of submission.
Cecilia Feilla promotes creation of Victorian Studies group. E.D. encourages area directors to utilize their web space to describe their area, vision, and include helpful links.
Italian Language and Literature Director’s Report, Daniela Antonucci
54 Italian Language and Literatures submissions: marks increase and wide variety of topics.
Daniela Antonucci announces two Italian Language and Literatures special events (both free): 1) Geneva Film Festival; 2) Globals and Locals. E.D. and Daniela Antonucci discuss scheduling of Geneva Film Festival. Daniella asks how to advertise special events. E.D. suggests a newsletter announcement, schedule of events that includes spcial events, and promotional email. Simona proposes creating a poster.
Spanish Language and Literatures Director’s Report, Cristina Santos
Cristina Santos discusses her commitment to increasing Brazilian and Portugese representation, and her corresponding board sponsored panel proposal.
Cristina Santos returns to diversity issue, asking the board to also define diversity in terms of abilities (i.e. deaf participants).
German Language and Literatures Director’s Report, Barbara Mabee (stand-in for Birgit Tautz)
German Language and Literatures is still working on special event sessions.
22 sessions will run, representing interest in two main areas: 1) 18th century literature; 2) transnational literature.
French Language and Literatures Director’s Report, Moussa Sow
French Language and Literatures will run 17 sessions, representing significant geographical diversity (Vietnam/Asia only excluded areas). Francophone African panels were especially popular. Moussa Sow expresses commitment to mission of diversity.
Natalie Edwards asks if Caribbean panels are decreasing. E.D. replies that they are down, and have been replaced with the transnational category. E.D. explains that MLA’s model is language driven, and that African sessions will be labeled transnational within comparative languages. E.D. suggests flyers or Acteva emails promoting African sessions.
Moussa Sow considers the growth of French Language and Literatures and potential need for more than 20 panels. E.D. supports NeMLA language areas and their potential to grow, simultaneously noting that we are now a competitive convention that must cut panels. This is only a problem if we are cutting panels that should not be cut. E.D. finally notes that because NeMLA cuts by percentage, not prescribed number of slots, areas can expand. Cecelia adds that the number and quality of area submissions changes every year. Cristina worries that proposals are due too close to the convention. Elizabeth explains why this is the case, and Daniella supports the current deadline for building interest in session proposals at the convention. Natalie recommends that Cristina attend area sessions and promote the call for proposals. Simona agrees.
Cultural Studies and Film Director’s Report, Johanna Rossi Wagner
Johanna Rossi Wagner assumed this position following the resignation of the former Cultural Studies and Film Director.
Johanna Rossi Wagner discusses the wide range of panels for Cultural Studies and Film. She announces two area events: 1) Deborah Willis (historian photographer); and 2) a film.
Johanna Rossi Wagner reports on media requests, with costs on par from last year. Though Jennifer Harris considered bids from two outside companies, the Hyatt is more dependable. Johanna Rossi Wagner then discusses the new database, which has facilitated the media fee process. E.D. asks if the $10 media fee (for at least two session participants) works. Johanna Rossi Wagner replies yes, but acknowledges that she should make the two-person rule clear.
Women’s Caucus Director’s Report, Sophie Lavin
Sophie Lavin announces 26 sessions (with 29 cross-listed sessions): an increase from last year. This year, a new session of transnational women’s writing will run.
A review of constituencies/institutes that intersect with women’s studies has revealed need for a collective event: an annual speaker and reception. Sharon Jimenez will speak this year. Sophie Lavin proposes that event take place in Douglass library (currently exhibiting Joan Snyder’s work), with reception to follow in Dining Hall. Simona suggests a survey to gauge interest. E.D. proposes charging $2 on Acteva registration, securing members’ commitment to attend.
In response to constituency demands, the Women’s Caucus has initiated a mentoring program that encourages collaboration via skype, conference calls, and a convention meeting.
Member-At-Large: Caucus Development, Simona Wright (stand-in for Lisa Perdigao)
Lisa has been working with LGBTQ, who consents to a member-at-large.
CAITY aims for board representation and is considering expanding events. E.D. encourages CAITY to contact Esther Cuesta and Sophie Lavin for models of increasing member engagement.
Graduate Caucus Representative’s Report, Esther Cuesta
Esther Cuesta reports a lack of active participation from graduate caucus officers. The Communications Director position has been particularly inefficient.
Esther Cuesta expresses interest in surveying graduate students on what they want and expect the caucus to do.
Esther Cuesta addresses diversity, asking board to consider Diaspora Studies as an area. Esther Cuesta proposes a Graduate Caucus Sponsored diversity activity, wondering if advertising an unsubsidized Ethiopian dinner would work. Grace Wetzel replies that it will. Esther Cuesta also proposes a poetry/testimony reading by graduate students.
Esther Cuesta addresses the global economic crisis, and wonders why we hold our conventions at hotels. E.D. and Simona Wright remind Esther of the room-share board and possibility for graduate students to find their own accommodation. E.D. also notes that smaller host cities indicate NeMLA’s efforts to keep costs down. Barbara Mabee suggests sending out a call to local graduate students willing to offer lodging.
E.D. solicits more participants for Graduate Caucus Sponsored Panel, “Traditional, Alternative, and Successful Approaches Through Academe.”
Motion to adjourn session made by Simona Wright; seconded by Laurence Roth; meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm.